Improvement in road-engines



4 Sheetys-Sheet 1.

G. T. SNYDER. Road-Engine.

No; 197,423. Patented Nov. 20,1877.

WYVVEEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. T. SNYDER. Road-Engine.

.No. 197,423? Patented Nov. 20, I877.

unuuflunmmuum 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

G. T. SNYDER. Road-Engine.

No. 197,423. Patented Nov. 20,1877.

\NWYYLEEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

G. T. SNYDER. Road-Engine.

Patented Nov. 20, 1877..

a a Q) THOGRAPHEP. WASHINGTON D L TTNITED" STATEs PArrENr DEEIQE;

GEORGE T. SNYD R, or NATnoNA, PENNSYLVANIA.

' MPVROVEMENTIN ROAD-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 197,423; dated November September 20,;1877.

To all whom it'may concern: w e v Be it known that I, GEORGE T. SNYDER, of Natrona, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Road-Engines, and I I do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear,- and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motor embodying my invention[ Fig.2 is arear elevation. Fig. 3 is a detachedview of the frame or bed, partly in section. Fig. 41s a detached view of the crank-shaft and portions of the horizontal drawing-bars. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of the bed or frame and running-gear; and Fig, 6, aplan view of the running-gear and steering mechanism.

constructed of tubing 11, connected by T joints 7 a to form a bed, from which rise the side rails a likewise formed of tubing, connected by hollow cast bearing-blocks a in which is journaled the driving-shaft.

B is the (having-shaft, arranged transversely of the machine, and journaled on the bearingblocks a of the side rails. The shaft B is a crank-shaft, furnished at each end with a cam,

b, for actuating one horizontal driving-bar, and

a crank, N, for actuating the other driving-bar of that side, and provided with pulleys b for imparting power to other machinery at such times as the machine is employed as a fixed engine.

C O are horizontal driving-bars, of which two on each side are generally employed, said bars being pivoted at one end to the frame A by links or arms 0, and connected at the other 20, 1877; application filed end to the crank-shaft B (the bars 0) by cam yokes, which inclose cams b, and (the bars 0) directly to the crank b, by which means the bars are reciprocated horizontally and also ing to the legs or pushers a walking motion. Secured to the horizontal driving-bars U G are a series of legs, which, forthe sake of light ness and strength, I construct hollow, (usually of wrought-iron tubing,) and which terminate in an expanded foot or hoop, 61 preferably notch ed, as shown at n, to admit air, and facilitate the lifting of the foot in traversing muddy roads. For hard roads, a spike or like device may be inserted in the foot. Instead of the spikes, shoes may be ,used, or they may be usedtogether. The shoes, if used, should be provided with toe-calkssimilar to a horseshoe;

The-majority of the legs or pushers d d are provided with ordinary hinge-connections, are held in contact with I the ground by tractionsprings d connected at one end to the leg, and at the other to the horizontal driving-bar, (G or O,) and are raised and lowered at will bylevers d and links 01 the levers being pro- Vided with means for securing them when it is desirable to lock up the legs d. In order to back the vehicle, several of the legs or pushprovided with universal-joint connections to the driving-bars G C, so that they can be turned and caused to act in reverse direction.

FF indicate the trucks upon which the frame A is mounted, In order to insure the tracking the hind wheels in turning the vehicle and at the same time to avoid any interference between the legs or pushers and wheels, the trucks F F are pivoted to the frame or bed on the center-line byking-bolts e, or in other suitable manner, and are connected to each other by a jointed perch or pole, f, slotted as at. g, or otherwise adapted to slide in one of the trucks, the trucks and and female circle-plates 6 0 From the shaft G of the brake-wheel, which is journaled on the forward part of frame A, extends a rod or chain, 9 to which are connected levers or crank-arms 9 secured to the upper ends of the king-bolts e, while to the vertically at their forward ends, thus imparters, usuallythe forward ones, marked d, are.

bed being also usually provided with malelower end of the king-bolts are attached levers g, which operate the brakes through .chains gf, the whole constituting a brake mechanism in some respects similar to that employed on railroad-cars, and which, or like brake mechanism, should be employed with my trucks.

Secured to the forwardtruck, and centered with the king-bolt thereof, is a toothed segment, h, which gears with a pinion, (or worm,) h, on the lower end of shaft H on the forward part of main frame A, said shaft being provided with a hand-wheel, by means of which the shaft is turned to the right or left, according to the direction in which the machine is to be directed.

The engine or engines for imparting motion to the crank-shaft B may be of any well-known class, or as shown at p p, and are secured in a bed, P, with guides 12 fixed on the frame or bed A. The boiler B, which is usually an upright, is preferably placed forward of the engines, so as to bring the engineer within reach of the brakes and steering mechanism, and

'the pump S (or injector, as the case may be) is placed forward of the boiler, between which and the tubular frame water-tank suitable connections are made. Provision is also made for filling the tank or frame.

The operation of my devices is as follows: The engines being started impart motion to crank-shaft B, which, through cams b and cranks b, reciprocate the horizontal drivingbars 0 c, dragging forward the pushers or legs (1 d with the forward motion of the bars, the hoofs thereof biting the ground on the reverse stroke, causing a thrust or advance of the carriage. As the bars 0 a move in opposite directions at each revolution of the shaft, the motion of the carriage is continuous and even.

When it is desired to back the vehicle the arms d are raised and locked up by mechanism d d, and the universal-jointed arms d are reversed or thrown forward, as indicated in dotted line. Upon releasing mechanism at d The driving mechanism maybe mounted in winter upon bob-sleds instead of trucks, the same steering mechanism'being' retained, and the sleds connected to the main frame or bed in the same manner as the trucks.

The advantages of operating the drivingbars from an elevated crank-shaft are twofold first, when said bars are detached, the powershaft stands free and clear for use as a fixed motor; and, secondly, when the driving-bars are attached to and operated from an elevated crank-shaft, the motion imparted to the jointed end of the pusher or leg is multiplied in the ground end, adding to the length of stroke or step, and consequently to the speed of the vehicle. r

By notching the hoof or foot the same is readily lifted on muddy ground, by which means the operative mechanism is relieved of much strain, and can be made light and ornamental.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim,- and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1: The combination, in a road-motor, of the crank-shaft, provided with one or more cams and crank-arms, the horizontal pivoted driving-bars, and suitable legs or pushers hinged to the driving-bars, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a road-motor, the combination, with a horizontal driving-bar, of two or more legs or pushers hinged thereto, provided with lifting and locking mechanism arranged on the driving-bar, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a road-motor, the pusher or leg, having the notched or slotted hoof or foot, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a road-motor, the combination, with the bed, of two or more trucks pivoted thereto by king-bolts arranged in a central line, and connected by a jointed sliding coupling pole or perch, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I, the said GEORGE T. SNYDER, have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE T. SNYDER.

Witnesses:

JAMES I. KAY,

O. S. HUNTINGTON. 

